South Hams

South Hams' population grew older between the last two censuses. At the same time there were changes in religion and health.

The population passed 83,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of South Hams increased by 1.6%, from just over 81,800 to 83,100.

The addition of almost 1,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Hams was home to, on average, 0.67 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was similar to the average across the South West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Hams

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Hams increased by four years, from 44 to 48 years.

This agricultural area had the second-highest average age in the South West and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 4,200 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 3,000.

About 16% of people in South Hams are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South West and South Hams by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of self-employment

This area saw the South West's largest rise in the proportion of self-employed people.

Across the region, Mendip saw the next largest increase in the proportion of self-employed people (from 12% in 2001 to 14% in 2011).

During this period, South Hams overtook West Devon to become the South West local authority area with the second-highest percentage of self-employed people.

In 2011, just over one in six (17%) people aged 16 to 74 in South Hams said they were self-employed, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage that were employed increased from 46% to 46%.

The rate of self-employment was higher than across the South West

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that that said they were self-employed across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

South Hams stood out from other areas for housing

In South Hams, the proportion went up from 11% in 2001 to 11% in 2011, while across England it fell from 19% to 18%. During the same period, the regional proportion fell from 14% to 13%.

Private renting in South Hams increased from 11% to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 75% to 72%.

The rate of social housing was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that that rented socially across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple increased in South Hams, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the South West, except Exeter and Cotswold.

Every local authority area across the South West saw a rise in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple, as the regional average grew from 8.4% to 10%.

In 2011, just over 1 in 12 (8.5%) households in South Hams had an unmarried couple, compared with 7.5% in 2001. The percentage with just a single person increased from 28% to 31%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

Changes in family structure

This area saw the South West's third-largest rise in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

Across the region, only Teignbridge (from 7.7% to 8.7%) and Dorset (from 7.9% to 8.9%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of households with adult children living with their parents.

During this period, South Hams fell below five local authority areas, including Somerset West and Taunton and Exeter, to become the South West local authority area with the ninth-lowest percentage of households with only adult children living with their parents.

In 2011, just under 1 in 12 (8.2%) households in South Hams had only adult children living with their parents, compared with 7.5% in 2001. The percentage with at least one child decreased from 27% to 24%.

The proportion of households with only adult children living with their parents was lower than across the South West

Percentage of households that where a parent lived with their adult children across local authority areas in the South West and the average across England, March 2011

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